SPORTZ NBA DRAFT BREAKDOWN - FIRST ROUND

Here is my breakdown of the NBA Draft.  I will give the pick...analyze it....give who I would have drafted at that spot [in real time] then give it a grade.

         

#1-ANDREW BOGUT [C]-UTAH.  Excellent pick.  Safe pick.  YCSJ said it perfectly when he stated that getting a big man is tough...especially to get one this cheap.  In the NBA, you gotta overpay to get a decent center.  Bogut can contribute now.  He'll be their starting center and be able to keep Michael Redd in house.  Bogut does command double teams which will make Redd into a better player.  If TJ Ford can come back from injury...they have a great nucleus [and a ton of cap space] to build around.  MY PICK:  Bogut.  GRADE:  A

      

#2-MARVIN WILLIAMS [SF]-NORTH CAROLINA.  One of the weirdest things this draft season was the fact Atlanta wasn't dealing out of this spot.  Williams doesn't fill a position need...but he does bring explosive talent.  He can score in a variety of ways...has great attitude...and can be a leader on this team.  I honestly think that Atlanta got the best player in the draft.  MY PICK:  Williams.  GRADE:  A+

   

#3-DERON WILLIAMS [PG]-ILLINOIS.  The highest picked Illini ever, Williams was a great choice for Utah.  He brings leadership qualities, defense, shooting and pacing to the Jazz.  Of all the PGs available, he fits the Utah mold to a T.  MY PICK:  Williams.  GRADE:  A

             

#4-CHRIS PAUL [PG]-WAKE FOREST.  Paul is an explosive guard and is the best pick for the Hornets right now.  They dealt of Davis, who was the same sort of guard...but Paul will be cheaper and without as much nicks and tears.  He and JR Smith may develop into the next Parker-Ginobili.  MY PICK:  Paul.  GRADE:  A+

     

#5-RAYMOND FELTON [PG]-NORTH CAROLINA.  The second Tar Heel selected, Felton is a somewhat surprise pick.  While he is a nice fit for the Cats, he may not be the 5th best player in the draft.  However, Charlotte got a running PG to go with their running team.  They also got a local hero [Felton grew up in the South Carolina town of Latta and played for UNC] which will help in the attendence department.  MY PICK:  Martell Webster.  GRADE:  B

      

#6-MARTELL WEBSTER [SG]-HIGH SCHOOL.  Essentially, the Blazers had Webster on their scope all along.  He is a great shooter who helps in the 2-guard department for Portland.  However, is itsmart to draft another high school player in Portland??  In the last decade, they've drafted a ton of very young guys [Jermaine O'Neal, Qyntell Woods, Zach Randolph, Travis Outlaw, Erick Barkley...not to mention dealing for Darius Miles] and haven't seen any kind of positive results.  MY PICK:  Andrew Bynum.  GRADE:  B-

    

#7-CHARLIE VILLENUEVA [PF]-UCONN.  Every year, someone makes a pick that turns the draft on it's ear.  It seems, that every year it is Toronto making that pick.  This pick makes no sense.  Nothing against Chucky, but the Raps have only one good player, Chris Bosh.  Toronto just drafted his backup.  With every other possible hole on their team...they pick Bosh's backup.  Good luck in the future move to Las Vegas, Raptors fans.  MY PICK:  Channing Frye.  GRADE:  F

    

#8-CHANNING FRYE [C]-ARIZONA.  With Toronto letting Frye slide, the Knicks got what they needed.  Frye can contribute right away in a variety of ways.  He's got a great touch and is a perfect pick and roll center....something that is handy when you have Marbury on your roster.  This time, the Knicks actually got it right.  As one GM said, those Arizona guys over-perform in the NBA.  MY PICK:  Frye.  GRADE:  A-

  

#9-IKE DIOGU [PF]-ARIZONA STATE.  While G-State couldn't get Frye, they stayed in Arizona to nab Diogu.  He will bring physical toughness to the Warriors [something they lack] and an active body up front.  While smallish, he rebounds, defends and can stick a mid-range jumper.  This might be one of those puzzle pieces that puts the Warriors into the postseason.  MY PICK:  Danny Granger.  GRADE:  B

  

#10-ANDREW BYNUM [C]-HIGH SCHOOL.  For the last week, I was convinced that the Lakers would take Bynum.  In my final mock draft, I didn't think he'd fall to 10.  Bynum could be a bruising center for many years to come.  However, being the youngest player ever drafted, the Lakers must wait to see if any dividends will come.  He has nice touch and a huge body...but he is a raw as they come.  But,his workouts have blown him from an early 2nd rounder to the #10 pick.  MY PICK:  Bynum.  GRADE:  B

   

#11-FRAN VAZQUEZ [PF]-SPAIN.  He is probably the best Euro in the draft.  However, why pick Vazquez when you just drafted Dwight Howard?  They are essentially the same player.  Vazquez is a defensive guy with a ton of athletic ability...especially on the boards.   Does this mean Howard moves to the center spot?  MY PICK:  Antoine Wright.  GRADE:  C

    

#12-YAROSLAV KOROLEV [SG]-Russia.  In the worst secret of the draft, LA was in love with Korolev.  They've been scouting him for quite some time and is pretty much the reason he entered the draft to begin with.  He may turn into another Kirilenko, but it will take quite a bit of time - he hasn't even played against any good Euro competition.  MY PICK:  Danny Granger.  GRADE:  C-

    

#13-SEAN MAY [PF]-NORTH CAROLINA.  Charlotte goes with another Tar Heel.  You know what you will get with May:  rebounds, a little jumper and great attitude.  Teaming up with Felton again will help both adapt to life in the NBA as well as the development of the Bobcats.  One thing is for sure, this team will run.  MY PICK:  Gerald Green.  GRADE:  B-

   

#14-RASHAD MCCANTS [SG]-NORTH CAROLINA.  The Wolves needed a scoring guard and they got one.  McCants, while only 6'3, can score in a ton of ways.  He has awesome range, awesome hops, a quick first step and can handle the ball.  His biggest knock is his "attitude" which isn't so much attitude as "free spirit".  He may be Ricky Williams without the hippie lettuce.  MY PICK:  McCants.  GRADE:  A-

   

<FONTSIZE=1>#15-ANTOINE WRIGHT [SG]-TEXAS A&M.  I've been a Wright fan for the last few weeks.  He's the kind of guy that fits perfectly for Jersey.  He won't be a star...but he will compliment Kidd and Carter very nicely.  He'll be a guy the Nets can count on.  MY PICK:  Wright.  GRADE:  B+

   

#16-JOEY GRAHAM [SF]-OKLAHOMA STATE.  Graham will bring toughness to the soft Raptors.  He'll play SFs very physically, has a high basketball IQ and can do a ton of intangibles.  He'll be a very good rebounding small forward.  MY PICK:  Gerald Green.  GRADE:  B-

   

#17-DANNY GRANGER [SF]-NEW MEXICO.  Indiana, in my mind, got the biggest steal in the draft with Granger.  This is a guy many wanted to trade up for.  While Granger doesn't replace Reggie Miller, he's the best player on the board and gives the Pacers some contingency plan if they do actually deal off Artest.  MY PICK:  Francisco Garcia.  GRADE:  A-

    

#18-GERALD GREEN [SF]-HIGH SCHOOL.  Just as Aaron Rodgers fell in the NFL draft...Green fell in the NBA Draft.  Last week, Portland had everyone convinced they'd make Green the #3 pick.  Green is most likelythe best athlete in the draft....but something has made teams weary of him.  One thing is for sure, this gives the C's some moving room to deal Pierce.  MY PICK:  Green.  GRADE:  A-

   

#19-HAKIM WARRICK [SF]-SYRACUSE.  He replaces Stromile Swift's athleticsm...but he isn't as big.  The problem is that he is just another swing man on a team full of them [Miller, Battier, Posey].  However, there was no one that was worth the #19 pick that they needed....hence the trade rumors.  MY PICK:  Jarrett Jack.  GRADE:  C-

   

#20-JULIUS HODGE [SG]-NC State  This isnot what Denver needed.  Hodge has talent...but he isn't a shooter...and that is what Denver craves.  He's just another player they have that has to take his defender off the dribble to the rack to score.  MY PICK:  Francisco Garcia.  GRADE:  C+

    

#21-NATE ROBINSON [PG]-WASHINGTON.  Acquired in a deal with Phoenix, Robinson gives the Knicks that popular "change of pace" point guard who can come in and take advantage of his speed against bench guards.  He can speed the game up..even allowing Marbury to move over to the 2-guard and help get the Knicks some quick points.  MY PICK:  Francisco Garcia.  GRADE:  B-

   

#22-JARRETT JACK [PG]-GEORGIA TECH.  Acquired in a deal with Denver.  I don't know if Jack is what Portland needed.  I championed the cause of them taking a PG [Stoudamire and Van Exel are gone] but Jack is turnover prone and is more of a guy that is most effective playing alongside an talented 2-guard...and Portland has a high schooler there right now.  MY PICK:  Francisco Garcia.  GRADE:  C-

   

#23-FRANCISCO GARCIA [SG/SF]-LOUISVILLE.  As you can tell, I have had Garica pegged for a while.  He is talented, a pure shooter and the Kings are lucky to have him.  With shooting guard as a need for Indy and Denver...Sacto didn't think he'd land here.  He gives the Kings yet another perimeter scorer who can fill it up and make teams run around defensively.  MY PICK:  Garcia.  GRADE:  B+

   

#24-LUTHER HEAD [PG]-ILLINOIS.  He fills a need...since the Rockets were trotting out Wesley and Sura out there.  However, Head could have been gotten later in the draft and there were better guards out there.  He is a winner...not afraid to take the big shot...and may have been the best player on the 2-loss Illini squad.  MY PICK:  Roko Ukic.  GRADE:  C

      

#25-JOHAN PETRO [C]-FRANCE.  Despite the name and where he came from...Petro can come in and play for Seattle.  Not polished, but big..can block shots..and only needed to do that right now as Jerome James backup.  It was a "best available pick" since all of Seattle's targets were already gone.  MY PICK:  Wayne Simien.  GRADE:  C

    

#26-JASON MAXIELL [PF]-CINCINNATI.  Let's see.  An undersized big man who will defend, bang under the basket, hit the glass and be a pretty good teammate.  Hmmm...sounds like a Detroit pick to me!  While Maxiell was on noone's first round draft board, the Pistons felt they need that toughness bad enough to take a chance.  MY PICK:  Wayne Simien.  GRADE:  C-

   

#27-LINUS KLEIZA [SF]-MISSOURI.  Acquired in a deal with Portland, Kleiza is another questionable pick.  A project, at best...Kleiza plays the the same spot as Melo and K-Mart.  MY PICK: Salim Stoudamire  GRADE:  D+


     

#28-IAN MAHINMI [PF]-TURKEY.  If there was one thing you could be sure of...it was the Spurs drafting a foreign player here.  They got Tony Parker 28th a few years ago...and Manu Ginobili with the 28th pick in the 2nd round before that.  Uh...to act like I know about this guy...I will just say he is raw.  MY PICK:  Erazan Ilysova.  GRADE:  ???

      

#29-WAYNE SIMIEN [PF]-KANSAS.  We all know that the biggest question about Simien is his health. When healthy, he was one of the NCAA's top players.  Thats been his problem.  He will benefit playing along side Shaq...as Udonis Haslem has done this year.  Because of that Haslem may cash in free agent style and Simien will just pick up where Shaq leaves off.  MY PICK:  Simien.  GRADE:  A

  

#30-DAVID LEE [PF]-FLORIDA.  Lee will join the Knicks front line along with most everyone else on their roster.  MY PICK:  Salim Stoudamire.  GRADE:  D+

FOR MY SECOND ROUND MINI BREAKDOWN, GO TO NBA DRAFT - 2nd Round